Salvation Army kicking off annual Red Kettle Campaign

Applications and interviews for the Christmas Hamper program have been completed for the most part in Shelburne, Yarmouth and Lunenburg counties.

All money raised by the fundraiser stays within the community.

“The Salvation Army offers their services without discrimination”, Bowling said.

Gilliam said the goal this year is to raise $200,000, slightly up from last year.

So with a little less shopping and a little more family and generosity, maybe we’re all on the path to making this holiday what it’s really about. “I have personally watched the Salvation Army at work in disaster situations”. “We don’t want anyone to feel left out”.

Right now, they only have half of the turkey’s they need.

“They come to us as a last resort”, Mills said.

“We have homeless, people who are receiving services from the Salvation Army and other organizations”.

Fancy toys in colourful wrapping and a lavish meal catering to good appetites are routines of a Christmas celebration.

Those interested in sponsoring a child or family can contact the agency now to get a tag. “Every child deserves to have a joyful, magical Christmas morning, so I am raising money through my #RedKettleReason page to help The Salvation Army provide Christmas gifts and necessities to children across the country”. “We’re excited to be able to help people this year and happy to be working with and partnering with the community”.

“It kills the spirit of Christmas-joy, faith, hope and love”.

Info: Food bank clients must register before food is received.

The Salvation Army began taking applications for the Angel Trees in October, so the regular deadline for sign up has already passed, but families who have experienced an emergency that would prevent them from providing a Christmas for their children since then can sign up through December 10.

Toys are needed most because at least one church group is planning to buy clothes for some of the children, said Cynthia Brockway, who serves as co-captain of the local Salvation Army Citadel with her husband, Thomas. But it is also the time of year charities rely the most on.

A donor then shops for the items, bags them using the angel’s numeric code and then takes them to the Salvation Army office or its Thrift Shop at 1675 E. Main St., in Richmond by December 9. “It goes right into food and small gifts so that those who are enduring hard times can have a happier Christmas”.

Whether it’s a family tradition or an opportunity to give back to the community, people and organizations across southcentral Kentucky are preparing to serve thousands of Thanksgiving meals. Nick is asking his fans to help him make Christmas bright for children and families in need. “People are very generous”.

“They needed a dessert tent”, Paramore said. The Salvation Army also can accept donations of turkeys, ham or chickens.

Licking County Job and Family Services operates its Families Helping Families program each year.

The Salvation Army held a festive event to kick off its annual Red Kettle Kickoff Campaign at Festival Foods in Sheboygan Saturday.

The CMU’s women’s basketball team is also volunteering to help prepare the feast.